Senate Approves 300% Pay Increase for Judicial Officers

In a landmark decision, the Nigerian Senate has approved a bill to increase the salaries of federal and state judicial officers by 300 percent.

This significant pay raise was endorsed by the Senate on Wednesday, following the report presented by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC-Borno North).

The approval came in response to an executive bill from President Bola Tinubu, aimed at enhancing the remuneration and benefits of judicial officers. The bill, formally titled “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances, and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters,” was forwarded by the President to the National Assembly for consideration.

Under the new legislation, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) will receive a substantial total monthly package of ₦5,385,047.26. Supreme Court justices will be compensated with a monthly package of ₦4,213,192.54, while the President of the Court of Appeal will receive ₦4,478,415.78 per month.

Furthermore, judges of the Court of Appeal are set to receive a monthly compensation package of ₦3,726,665.40. The President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Grand Khadi of the FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, and the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court will also be compensated with ₦3,726,665.40 per month.

Additional judicial officers, including the Grand Khadi of the State Sharia Court of Appeal, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, and the Chief Judge of the State High Court, will receive a monthly package of ₦3,527,022.61.

The decision to implement these increases reflects a concerted effort to ensure that judicial officers are adequately compensated for their vital role in upholding the rule of law and administering justice in Nigeria. This move is seen as a step towards improving the working conditions and morale of the judiciary, which is critical for maintaining judicial independence and efficiency.

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President Tinubu’s initiative to enhance judicial pay and benefits underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening the judicial system. By securing better pay and fringe benefits, the bill aims to attract and retain high-caliber legal professionals within the judiciary, thereby fostering a more robust and effective legal framework in the country.

This unprecedented pay raise for judicial officers is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the judicial sector, ensuring that those who serve in these crucial roles are compensated in line with their responsibilities and the demands of their positions.